(Updating with fresh inputs)

Melbourne, Dec 6 (PTI) Indian energy giant Adani today said it will start construction work at the 21.7 billion dollars Carmichael mine in Australia by mid-2017 and vowed to give priority to local workers at the controversy-hit project, which is expected to generate some 10,000 jobs.

"We want to start construction in the middle of next year," Adani Australia chief executive Jeyakumar Janakaraj told reporters after a meeting between Queensland state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and group chairman Gautam Adani in the city of Townsville.

The two discussedregional project centres as well as progress on the mine and associated infrastructure.

Palaszczuk said, "I have got an iron-clad guarantee from Mr Adani that there will be no 457 visas as part of the workforce for this major project."

"Adani is committed to remaining engaged in the development of the indigenous and regional communities as demonstrated in todays announcement," Adani said.

"Adani group is committed to nation building projects in the energy and infrastructure space which will create thousands of jobs in regional Queensland and alleviate millions in India of poverty," he said.

"The group has a very balanced approach to renewable energy. With a current solar energy portfolio of 1,400 MW and a target of 12,000 MW by 2022, Adani is clearly in line to realise our vision of becoming the largest renewable generator globally," he added.

Adani Group also announced that Mackay-Bowen region, which had been the scene of a number of protests against the project, will be a major component of the project.

Adani will utilise the Mackay-Bowen regions well established mining support service industries.

Additionally, Rockhampton and Townsville have been shortlisted by Adani as a Fly in Fly out (FIFO) hub. A decision will be made in 2017 around the time of early works commencement.

Rockhampton, Townsville and Mackay will provide project services to the Adani operations. Regional towns Emerald, Clermont, Moranbah, Charters Towers and Clermont will also be utilised as project services centres.

Adani had originally proposed to base all of its project offices in Brisbane.

Adani said it has determined, however, that a shift to the regional Queensland centres allows the company to more directly harness the skills and enthusiasm of the local industries, local communities and workforce.

Janakaraj said Townsville would become Adani minings regional headquarters, while the Mackay-Bowen area would become the regional headquarters for its rail and port operations.

The company said itsshift to the regional Queensland centres wouldallow itto more directly harness the skills and enthusiasm of the local industries, local communities and workforce. (MORE) PTI NC NSA ASK AKJ ASK

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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